Exceptional Red

Hall 2010 Napa Valley Merlot

Kathryn Walt Hall is the proprietor of Hall Wines and has been involved in the California wine industry since her family first purchased a vineyard thirty years ago. She has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, community activist, and most recently as the United States Ambassador to Austria. Kathryn Hall and her family have been grape growers in Mendocino County since 1972. The Walt family owns 63 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the Redwood Valley and has sold their grapes to such wineries as Fetzer, Parducci and Beringer. Kathryn managed the family vineyard from 1982 to 1992. During this time she produced Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon under the label Walt Vineyards. Continuing her family tradition, she maintains a strong emotional attachment to vineyards, wine and the wine country.

Craig Hall is chairman and founder of Dallas-based Hall Financial Group and along with his wife Kathryn, created a premier vineyard and winery company in the Napa Valley area. A life-long entrepreneur and investor, in addition to the vineyard and winery business, his professional interests today include real estate, venture capital, technology and hotels in the U.S. and Europe.

Hall’s Napa Valley Merlot shows a “cranberry like” color with nice aromas of dark berry dried fruit with hints of pepper and similar spices. Although I admit I am not much of a Merlot fan, the Hall Merlot was a surprise and an absolute delight to taste. The palate yielded berry jam and fruit tastes with a touch of roasted espresso beans and a perfect amount of pungent, almost smoky, spice to a clean slightly oak finish. The blend is 88% Merlot; 6% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5% Syrah and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for 18 months in 40% new French oak. Grab this delightful Merlot for around $25, you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers!